There is light even in tragedy
To the editor:
To the residents and friends of Pennington and Hopewell Valley area:
Please note my sincerest appreciation to the Pennington-Hopewell community members who supported our most recent prayer vigil at Bethel AME Church on Wednesday, June 24, in reflection of the nine individuals who tragically lost their lives by gunfire at Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, the week prior.
I am especially grateful to my colleagues from the Pennington Clergy Association, who rallied even before the service by having representatives from varied congregations attend our Sunday, June 20, service. These dedicated Christians marched to Bethel, prayed with us and presented us with nine roses in remembrance of these courageous individuals who lost their lives.
I would also like to acknowledge Assemblywoman Elizabeth Maher Muoio, who attended Wednesday’s prayer vigil, not merely as a political representative, but, more importantly, as a concerned and caring Pennington resident, who was seeking to join with us in prayer.
As the pastor of the oldest established African-American Church in Pennington, I felt proud to experience the collective support of the community our congregation has endeavored to serve for the past 199 years.
As we embark upon our own 200th year milestone in this historic community, we will remain ever vigilant to promote social justice and racial equality for all people.
In his most riveting closing remarks, the Rev. Dan Casselberry of the Pennington United Methodist Church challenged us all to look deep within ourselves and to take ownership of our inherited role as perpetrators of this horrendous act.
He reminded us that although we ourselves did not pull the trigger, we all share a collective role in the current display of the racial imbalances that plague our nation, and that by not addressing it, we inherently condone what our nation has become.
As the pastor of this congregation, I will be speaking with the Clergy Association about hosting future opportunities for our community to gather and discuss the climate of racial injustice and collaborate on solutions that will benefit not only our immediate community, but, prayerfully, the world.
I challenge the citizens of Pennington and Hopewell to join together to serve as a model for the world in finding the solutions we need to end the divide that is ever more present now than it has been in since the height of racial tensions of the 1960s.
While it’s sad that we haven’t progressed much farther, that doesn’t mean that we can’t.
My remarks at the vigil challenged our community to look deep into the darkness to find the light. I sincerely believe that there is light to be found even in the darkness of this tragedy.
Rev. Gregory S. Smith
Bethel AME Church
Pennington Food Truck Friday has strong support
To the editor:
Friday, June 26, was another successful Food Truck Friday at Hopewell’s historic train station.
This delicious community event would not be possible without the help and support of many in our community.
Thank you to the Hopewell Borough Recreation Committee, the Hopewell Borough Public Works, the municipal staff and all the volunteers who came early to set up and stayed late to clean up.
A special shout-out to Ella and Liana Quinlan and Ben and Max Pollara for their help in setting up the chairs and tables.
We so appreciate that the Jumpers donated their time and talents to entertain the crowds. Thank you!
Thanks also for the EMTs and the Hopewell Valley police for helping ensure that everyone has a safe evening.
Finally, many thanks to everyone in our community and surrounding towns who came out to support Food Truck Friday, visit with friends and enjoy our beautiful town. We hope you had a delicious and wonderful evening.
And we hope we see you Friday, Sept. 11, for our next Food Truck Friday.
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@FTFHopewell) and visit www.foodtruck-friday.com for the latest updates.
Susan Pollara
Roxanne Klett
organizers
Food Truck Friday
Hopewell Borough ‘Evening Under Stars’ was a big hit
To the editor:
We would like to take a moment to thank everyone who attended “An Evening Under The Stars” on Sunday night (June 28).
The classic car show was a big hit as was the concert by the 63rd Army Band.
The evening was topped off by a giant fireworks extravaganza. that lit up the evening sky.
We would also like to thank all of the volunteers who helped make this night possible. Without their help, this great community event, that has become a tradition, would not have been possible.
A big thank you to all of the local businesses and individuals whose very generous donations made this event possible. The entire night was paid for with donations and not tax dollars.
Col. Ken Baker
president
Hopewell Valley
Veteran’s Association
Mike Chipowsky
chairman
Hopewell Township
Recreation Advisory Committee
